While all of the books in the American Girls series teach young girls about the role of women throughout American history, the Felicity stories show a young woman well ahead of her time in Colonial Virginia.
In this book, she rescues her friend Ben Davidson after he unsuccessfully tries to sneak away from his apprentice contract to join George Washington's army. Because the idea of young girls rescuing older men is radical even by today's standards (tradditional culture says it should be the other way around) this is inspiring for young women. Ms. Tripp shows that women have as much right to take charge of a dangerous sittuation as young men do.
In this book alone, Felicity argues with Ben, gets dirty and sweaty and devises a successfull rescue plan. This is a long ways from the "dainty behavior" that was prefered by her society. Throughout the book other characters attempt to remind her to be more ladylike only to come up short--Felicity is too independent for their tastes.
Even though the fictional story is set in the past, I am willing to bet it will inspire more than a few girls to acchieve their dreams.